Tim Kreider on Worthless Vocations

Tim Kreider Money Quotation saying in a New York Times Editorial that failure to pay for online work, artists are being insulted and devalued. Tim Kreider said:
 

 

“It isn’t right for people to tell us, over and over, that our vocation is worthless” — Tim Kreider

• The author argues that many websites and publications ask writers and artists to create content for free, without compensation
• He calls this practice of unpaid labor “contemptuous” and says it devalues creative work
• The author recounts his own experiences being asked to write for free over many years, despite the time and effort required
• He acknowledges the difficult economy but says unpaid work shouldn’t be considered normal or socially acceptable
• The author urges younger artists not to give away their work for free, as a matter of principle and to maintain the value of creative professions
• He provides a template response for declining unpaid work invitations politely but firmly

This quote is criticizing the practice of publications and websites repeatedly asking artists and writers to create work for no pay. By only offering “exposure” instead of compensation, it sends the message that creative work has no monetary value or worth.

The author argues this is unfair and discourages treating artistic vocations as something that can and should be done unpaid, as a hobby rather than a job.

The quote expresses that artists should not have to constantly hear from potential employers that their chosen career path is essentially worthless as a means of earning a living.

Tim Kreider on Economic Doomsday Device

Tim Kreider Money Quotation saying because artists work for free online, it has become unprofitable to be a creator. Tim Kreider said:
 

 

“The internet … an economic doomsday device rendering it impossible for anyone to ever make a profit off anything again” — Tim Kreider

In this quote, the author is criticizing how the internet has disrupted traditional economic models, especially for creative professions. He argues that the ease of digitizing and sharing content online for free has made it essentially “impossible” for creators to profit from or earn a living off their work.

When anything can be instantly accessed and distributed worldwide without cost, it undermines the ability of artists, writers and others to sell their creations and make a profit.

The quote portrays the internet as an “economic doomsday device” that has destroyed profitability in creative fields by enabling ubiquitous free access to content.

Tim Kreider on Free of Charge Work

Tim Kreider Money Quotation saying in a New York Times editorial that starving artists accept work without pay for ‘exposure’ and stop anyone from being paid what they are worth. Tim Kreider said:
 

 

“There is a bottomless supply of ambitious young artists … so thrilled at the prospect of publication … happy to do it free” — Tim Kreider

In this quote, the author is referring to the fact that publications and websites can continue to exploit young and ambitious artists by asking them to work for free, because there will always be a large pool of such artists willing to do so.

The author notes that many early-career creators are so eager for exposure and publication credits that they are happy to accept no pay or compensation in exchange.

This willingness allows editors to rely on unpaid labor from new artists, perpetuating the cycle of treating creative work as something that need not be paid.

The quote suggests this is an unfortunate reality that enables the practice of unpaid work to persist in the industry.

Tim Kreider on Working For Free

Tim Kreider Money Quotation from New York Times editorial saying working for ‘exposure’ is still working for nothing and writers should stop working free. Tim Kreider said:
 

 

“Money is … how our culture defines value, and being told that what you do is of no value … is … demoralizing” — Tim Kreider

In this quote, the author is arguing that monetary compensation is an important way that our society and culture determines the value and worth of people’s work and vocations. He says that when artists are constantly told their work is worth creating for “free” or no pay, this sends the message that their creative labor has no economic or social value.

The author describes such a situation as “demoralizing”, because it undermines artists’ sense of dignity and self-worth in their profession when their work is treated as having no monetary worth or importance.

The quote emphasizes that payment is not just a practical necessity, but also a symbolic way for creators to feel that what they do has true value in the eyes of those benefitting from their work.